I'm currently building up a pseudo 300m target/benchrest rifle on a savage .223 action. I've been geared towards ordering a shilen 1-8" .223 barrel BUT the oddball in me is VERY intrigued by 7mm TCU. My problem is not knowing the velocities acheavible in a rifle I cannot determine if this cartridge is suitable for the task I have in mind.

So would you fellas with long barreled 7TCU's sound off on what kind of velocities you've been able to achieve with some of the racier bullets.

If you want to be an oddball, you should chose the 6.5 TCU. I am thinking about rebarrelling a Sako AI in 17 rem to 6.5 TCU. Lou

Krochus,
This was published many moons ago in Australia. The guy that wrote the article actually tested quite a few projectile weights at the lower end ... but only gave one load in which he wrote all the required info for me to keep it.

Speer HP 115 gr AR2207 24.0 gr 2430fps Rifle was a Tikka custom with 22.5" barrel.
Cheers...
Con

I have a Contender Carbine 23" 7mm TCU barrel. I have been able to to get 2500-2600 fps with a 120 Grain Nosler bal Tip with two powders H335 & AA1680. To date I have taken only one deer with it at about 50-75 yards. Performed well.

I was also working with 100 Grain Sierra HPBT with AA2460 but never completed my work ups with it. So I cannot speak to the top velocities with that weight bullet.

Hope this gives you some idea of what is possible. Good luck on your project!

300m Target/benchrest, do a 6mm BR and be happy.

I believe the bolt head can be swapped for the 308 size you need. A TCU in 6.5 or 7mm is not going to get you great 300 yd groups, but should do well at 200 and under. Wind will be an issue on lesser speed rounds.

Different, well a 6.5BR, 6.5 Grendel, or 6.5x47 Lapua will all be 'different' enough, w/o fuss, and make you very happy.

Odds may be a fast 8 twist 223 will out group the 6.5 and 7TCU at 300, with right bullets. I can tell you a guy at my local range did an Abolt 223 into a 7TCU for a 'try' on the 300 and 400 meter targets and was sadly disappointed.

Your money but trying to save you disappointment as well. Good luck and let us know what you end up doing.

Oh, now if you said you are 'plinking' silhouette type targets to 300 and want more impact and visible hits to self-spot, then a 6.5 or 7 TCU makes sense due to heavier bullets, but don't expect itty bitty groups at 300 is all I am saying.